Budget committee recommends fee increase

In its fee increase recommendation to Boise State President Bob

Kustra, the Executive Budget Committee vouched for the budgetary

wishes of most organizations requesting 2004-2005 student fee

increases. With the exception of the Keith Stein Blue Thunder

Marching Band and Student Radio, the committee fully supported the

requests of six other groups seeking more funds.

The most debated proposal was the reestablishment of a Student

Radio fee. Student Radio received a $2 fee recommendation, rather

than the requested amount of $5. Most committee members said

although they recognized the value of Student Radio, they were

concerned with the lack of management structure within the

group.

The Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band also did not gain

support for their requested amount of $3. The committee recommended

a 50-cent increase, citing the fact that the organization did not

provide a budget plan upon request.

The committee finalized its recommendation before the

Thanksgiving holiday, including a 7.5 percent matriculation fee

increase — a fee charged for maintenance and operation of physical

plants, student services and institutional support for full-time

students. The committee supported the following requests: Athletic

Department, $5; The Arbiter, 50-cent per credit summer fee;

technology, $5; ASBSU, 90 cents; Martin Luther King Committee,

$1.50 and Health, Wellness and Counseling Services, $40.

Boise State Provost Daryl Jones said the committee took great

pains to balance the needs of the university while trying to keep

education affordable.

“We are, it seems to me, walking a tight rope,”

Jones said.

Both ASBSU President Ali Ishaq and Vice President Jim Wolfe

expressed concerns over the proposed 10 percent increase in the

matriculation fee. Ishaq and Wolfe held their ground while the

numbers came down, with all parties agreeing on a 7.5 percent

increase.

Ultimately, the Executive Budget Committee can only make

recommendations to President Kustra. Kustra can alter the

committee’s recommendations as he sees fit before taking the

proposal to the Idaho State Board of Education.

The Board of Education will review Kustra’s proposal and

submit its recommendation to the Idaho State Legislature when it

convenes for its first session in 2004.

The committee met in the fall this year before the legislative

session began — a change from previous years when meetings were

held in the spring. According to Ishaq, the change was directed by

the Board of Education in hopes of pressuring the legislature to

increase higher education funding

“Basically, the state board is trying to play chicken with

the legislature,” Ishaq said.

Jones chairs the committee which consists of four BSU vice

presidents and four administration staff members, along with two

students, Ishaq and Wolfe, four faculty members and one classified

employee.

Monica Price
News Reporter

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